AT A time of global political turmoil and social unrest in 1973, former Society of Jesus Superior General Pedro Arrupe, SJ delivered a speech in Valencia, Spain, highlighting the importance of selfless service by forming “men for others.” His speech served as a catalyst in the reevaluation of Jesuit education to better equip students for the demands of social justice.
The enduring impact of Fr. Arrupe’s call remains significant 50 years after, particularly in the current Philippine society marred by curtailed human rights and political polarization. In this setting, Ateneans are continuously called to live out the mantra, which is now termed as “persons for and with others.”
Some Atenean undergraduates choose to answer the call by vying for positions in the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, committing themselves to empowering communities and nation-building.
Roots of running
Hoping to enter the domain of public governance is Anjanette Cayabyab (4 BS AMF). While a neophyte in politics, she is no stranger to community development initiatives as she has been taking part in various youth organizations to pursue her advocacies.
For Cayabyab, young leaders often avoid government positions due to issues of corruption and the lack of financial support and social capital. Amid these concerns, she sees the need to establish a more responsive and participative youth government. This realization eventually prompted her to run for SK Chairperson in Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.
Cayabyab believes that allowing young individuals to actively engage in socio-civic initiatives can be a significant driving force for social change. Seeing this vigor come alive during the 2022 National Elections, she hopes to harness the youth’s energy in advocating for women’s health, as well as for the arts and culture.
While Cayabyab is inspired to run because of her fellow youth, Shaina Ruby Guiyab (3 AB MEC) has found her motivation in a strong sense of social and political awareness instilled by her family and church.
Running for SK Councilor in Bacoor’s Barangay Ligas 3, Guiyab shares that her leadership experience in the Ateneo has deepened her commitment to social change and public service.
As the current president of the Ateneo Student Catholic Action, Guiyab emphasizes that the organization’s community engagement programs have inspired her to tackle the educational hurdles present within her community. She specifically highlights the inadequate provision of school supplies to children. Thus, she plans to prioritize scholarship and educational cash incentives, establish community learning hubs, and organize contests and training programs.
Aside from this, she also aims to break the notion that educated individuals leave their communities behind, emphasizing the responsibility of giving back and serving one’s place of origin.
With their individual election bids, both Cayabyab and Guiyab stress that through their Atenean education, they are able to ground their actions in love.
“Kapag nagmumula ka sa pag-ibig, magpapatuloy na ‘yon. Dahil mahal ko ‘yung komunidad ko, gusto kong magserbisyo para sa kanila,” Guiyab asserts.
(When what you do comes from love, it will persist. Because I love my community, I want to serve them.)
Grounded in their commitment to making a difference and giving back, both candidates exemplify the core values of Atenean education—a dedication to service and community betterment.
Growth from education
In an effort to “form leaders in service of the global and local community,” the Ateneo education continuously takes on a holistic approach in response to Fr. Arrupe’s challenge of providing a kind of learning that champions “education for justice.”
For Political Science Professor Mariel S. Quiogue, MA, this kind of learning is important especially when the government’s priorities do not reflect the real conditions on the ground. She further explains that the youth’s education should not be seen merely as a means to secure a career, but also one that could develop social awareness and lead to impactful societal contribution.
Subsequently, when societal problems become deeply entrenched systemic issues, one’s pursuit of education must go beyond a sense of awareness. Theology Professor Marnie Racaza, MA asserts that some social structures deliberately attempt to silence and oppress marginalized voices. This reality has led her to rephrase the popular Ignatian mantra as “persons for and with the othered.”
Racaza then challenges those running for office to become active agents of social transformation. According to her, this undertaking requires them to be conscious of the privileges and implications of their decisions in furthering either liberation or subjugation.
As the Course Coordinator of Theology of the Catholic Social Vision, Racaza hopes that the framework provided by the course helps these political hopefuls in genuinely addressing their communities’ predicaments.
With this need for social reform, both Cayabyab and Guiyab express the crucial role of their Atenean education in shaping their views on socio-political issues. Aside from Theology, Guiyab pinpoints that her Literature and Philosophy classes have also been instrumental in shaping her perspectives on public service and governance.
Sharing the same sentiment, Cayabyab recalls a striking statement made by one of her professors. “Social change does not only come from the upper or lower class, but also from the educated middle class who have this responsibility […] [to respond to] the needs of other people,” she cites.
Although she takes inspiration from these empowering discussions during her classes, Cayabyab likens her educational experience in the University to the feeling of an illusion—one that opens the idea of vast possibilities seemingly confined within the campus walls. Thus, to break through this illusion, she insists on extending these opportunities beyond the campus.
To further shift perspectives, Racaza also prompts everyone to engage in a matter of discussion that drives proactive actions instead of simply having performative stances. “It’s not enough to reject the unjust structures; it’s important to also reform and participate more deeply into the reformation,” she asserts.
Racaza adds that doing so fulfills a part of one’s Ateneo education, which aims to inculcate a faith that does justice to individuals in society.
Blooming new leaders
With the country’s socio-political landscape repeating historical patterns, the call of Fr. Arrupe’s speech underscores the current significance of structural social change and further encourages the emergence of another cycle of changemakers.
As authoritarian practices creep back into the country’s democratic spaces, Quiogue emphasizes that the youth’s participation and idealism are important in upholding the true essence of democracy. She stresses that the youth must always maximize their participation and engagement, as they will be left to inherit the systems and society formed by the current generation in power.
Additionally, Political Science Professor Millard Lim, MA views SK positions as only one of the many ways to claim spaces in society. He points out that the youth must not feel limited in taking action only through running for office. “The SK should not be seen as the epitome of youth participation in governance. […] Far more important and significant is what one can do at […] community levels, including the school,” he explains.
Quiogue also encourages young individuals to start small by communicating with affiliated organizations that may have similar issues and concerns as those with communities outside of the Ateneo. From this small gesture, students can create a greater impact by realizing their role in governance processes—one that is important in espousing democracy and promoting good governance.In the process of striving to become persons for and with others, one is able to also experience the essence of being fully human. As Ateneans take part in change that benefits others beyond themselves, they are further called to guarantee avenues for the youth to also grow and actively engage in the difficult yet important task of social reform.
